A Real - Food Thanksgiving (recipes from around the web)

I am putting the finishing touches on my Thanksgiving shopping list and getting ready to head out the door - so this post may be a little late in your planning schedule, but just in case...here it is!

In my own personal journey of making better, healthier choices for myself and my family this year, I have been "devouring" (pun intended) several particular blogs that focus on gluten-free or real food preparation and menus...it is really the way I grew up eating in rural Iowa.  It was effortless then...it was what we grew on the farm ourselves!

So, my menu this year isn't 100% real food, gluten-free...but I thought I would post some things that seemed mouth watering from my favorite blogs.  You might want to start following them, too, as the owners "keep it simple" and provide lots of help in making the changes your family will love!

Maybe by next year I'll be adding my own "tried and true" menu, but for now enjoy the hard work these women have already done!

Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes - Keeper of the Home

 

Best Pumpkin Pie Ever - Kayla Howard 

An entire menu WITH recipes!

A Simply Delicious Thanksgiving

Another entire menu for a FRUGAL and real-food Thanksgiving + a
stress-free cooking timeline...

Simple Everyday European Bread Recipe from My Humble Kitchen

The Most Dangeroous Cake Recipe in the World and a very creative fashion blog!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly before pouring in the milk and oil in. Keep mixing. Add the optional chocolate chips next (who makes that an option!) and vanilla extract, and mix again…

Mmm, cake batter!

Put your mug in the micro wave and cook for three minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow it to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

This is too easy!!

EAT ! (this can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

OSM!! (Optional Sharing Method!)

Why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because we are all only 5 minutes away from warm, gooey, delicious chocolate cake any time, night or day.

I got this from the Newdressaday blog...this gal is creating a new dress each day of the year for one year and spending just $1 a day to do it! So creative!!! Here is a couple of pics just so you can get a taste of what she does - Here is the "before" and...

here is the "after"....

- but don't stop with the dresses! Her blog is cute and funny (not necessarily Christian tho'). I do like the idea and the way it inspires good stewardship of our money!

Have a blessed day!
Cindy

How to make your own Herbes de Provence

I made this tonight to put over asparagus...OMG! So good and my husband LOVED it...

Here is another recipe for the same herb blend...frenchfood.herbesdeprov


How to Make a Herbes de Provence Blend

Herbes de Provence is a classic herbal blend used in French cooking. Yes, you can buy the herbs at the store--but it's so much fun to dry your own! You can even grow the herbs yourself, dry them and then create the blend.

You can try it on meats, poultry, and even in savory egg dishes like quiche and omelets. My favorite uses are on roasted chicken and in mushroom and cheese omelets. It's also a tasty blend in soups, especially vegetable.

Here is how to put together a savory Herbes de Provence blend.
Things You'll Need:
• 1 tbsp. Lavender
• 1 tbsp. Sage
• 1 tbsp. Rosemary
• 1 tbsp. Oregano
• 1 tbsp. Basil
• 1 tbsp. Thyme
• Paper bags or paper towels
• Medium mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Airtight container
1. Step 1
Start by growing your own herbs. However, in some climates, it may not be possible to grow some of them with success. So it is perfectly acceptable to purchase the dried herbs.
2. Step 2
If you do grow your own, pick the herbs just before they flower. Dry them in paper bags or lay them out on paper towels. When the herbs are dry, remove them from the stems and crush them gently.
3. Step 3
Measure out the herbs and place them in a medium mixing bowl. Stir gently and transfer them to an airtight container. An amber glass jar is best, but you can also use a plastic container.
4. Step 4
The blend is ready to use. Keep it handy and use a pinch here and there when you cook.
Tips & Warnings
• Make sure the dried herbs are of the highest quality and don't contain any mold, dirt or black spots.
• You can change the blend around as you see fit. For example, if you think an herb needs to be in a higher proportion, smaller portion or omitted, feel free to do so!